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Need to Return a Shipment? Here’s What You Need to Know

Need to Return a Shipment? Here’s What You Need to Know

Alexandra Blake
by 
Alexandra Blake
13 minutes read
Trends in Logistic
November 17, 2025

Start with a 24-hour reverse-shipment approval to streamline handling. This decision speeds up the cycle, reduces inquiries, and sets clear expectations for every order processed by the manager, then guides the next steps effectively.

Where to begin: verify the sender and the original order number, confirm product condition, and document the reversal window based on offers and year of activity. Value-based criteria help protect costs and keep valued customers satisfied.

Costs and logistics: assign a prepaid label when policy-backed, or have the sender cover costs if the fault lies with the seller. For international shipments, synchronize with customs and import rules to avoid delays. Track the status in the global-e integration and note the источник of the decision for audit. wyol tag can help trace the action.

Process optimization: align the workflow with an integrated system that records orders, sender details, and costs, then auto-generates reversal labels and updates customers. This reduces handling time and improves the effect on customer satisfaction.

Communication and policy education: publish a concise policy that explains what qualifies, the expected timeline, and how to track progress. dont overpromise timelines; base decisions on data. Based on data from the past year, highlight common exceptions and the offers available to resolve disputes quickly. Encourage operators to believe in consistent experiences and to keep the customer experience valued.

Return eligibility, timeframes, and item condition

Check eligibility via the portal before sending back: items must be returned in original condition, unused, with all tags and accessories, and in the original packaging. Capture photos showing the item and packaging; keep the receipt when possible. Use the tracking link to monitor progress; self-postage options may be offered across supported countries for the sender. If the item qualifies, support will provide the next steps and auto-refunded credits once inspection completes; otherwise, an offered alternative will be shown. Have details ready: country, order number, and link to the policy for quick reference. If the order number isn’t available, contact support for help. Be sure to review requirements in the portal.

Eligibility criteria

Consistency across markets: eligibility is based on stage, item condition, and timing. The item must be in a saleable state, with original packaging and tags; opened hygiene-sensitive products, cosmetics, or software with licenses may be excluded. Some items ship with restrictions in certain countries; the portal shows country-specific notes and steps. If a product is not eligible, the portal indicates another path or note shows it is non-offered; in such cases, store credit or exchange via the same portal may be chosen. Details are available via the link in the portal and note section; this helps keep consumers informed across regions.

Timeframes, tracking, and processing

Processing windows vary by country and carrier. Approvals happen within current business day ranges after receipt; inspections take 2-5 days; refunds or auto-refunded credits appear within 3-7 days after approval, typically to the original payment method or as store credit, depending on policy. The portal provides a current status and a tracking number; use the link and keep the note for reference. If shipments were sent via self-postage, ensure the stage is updated correctly in the portal; partners may offer auto-refunded credits or alternate solutions. For global-e flows, tracking updates may cross borders; in case of a discrepancy, support can be contacted with relevant details for faster resolution. This approach supports consumers and growth by offering clear steps and a reliable path across countries and partner networks like wyol.

Tariffs and service disruptions affecting US deliveries

Recommended action: prepaid duties when feasible and consolidation of parcels to reduce tariff exposure and processing times.

Tariff shifts vary by category; electronics and apparel typically drive larger swings. In the current year, the impact can reach 5%–15% of landed cost, and those changes can differ by policy updates. A report shows those shifts by year and helps determine which goods to prioritize, including planning for consolidation and route choices within the journey.

Disruptions at US gateways–port congestion, weather events, and labor actions–extend the journey by days and affect processed parcels. This is important for planners and requires buffer days of 2–5 and resilience.

To counter, apply consolidation across multiple parcels from the same sender, enabling global-e offers for cross-border handling, and move to prepaid duties when possible. Those actions reduce variability and keep the overall cost less, while maintaining service levels for free clearance when feasible. This work supports smoother order flow.

Tariff-driven dynamics

The page-based dashboard provided to customers shows a consolidated view of volumes, including those parcels that are prepaid and those on terms, aiding order-level decisions within the journey. Provided by the annual tariff report, this resource helps plan for the year ahead and reduces surprises in the cost of goods.

Factor US impact Recommended action
Tariff fluctuations Landed cost can rise 5–15% for electronics, apparel, and other sensitive goods; swings vary by year Consolidate, leverage prepaid duties, consider DDP where available; use global-e tools to model costs within the report
Gateway disruptions Port congestion, weather, and strikes can add days to the journey; processed parcels may hold status Diversify routes, maintain buffer days, enable expedited options where offered
E-commerce volumes Volume surges increase parcels in transit and processing queues; backlog risk Increase consolidation, automate checks, leverage a robust solution and those offers from providers
Documentation and clearance Incomplete paperwork slows clearance, adding days Provide complete documents; use page checklists; rely on reports that flag missing items

Practical steps for resilience

Coordinate orders to align with lower tariff windows when a prepaid option is available. Use consolidation to reduce the number of parcels processed and enable less cost with free clearance when feasible. Track progress with a centralized page and report, enabling the sender to respond quickly and minimize days of delay.

Start the return: step-by-step for DHL, Royal Mail, and Temu orders

Initiate in the carrier portal now: create a label, select the applicable service level, and confirm the address before sending. Have the order number, seller details, and a count of packages ready; this ensures the process triggers without delays and the shipments move to the location quickly. This initial move keeps costs predictable and refunds accurate.

DHL and Royal Mail: step-by-step

1. Validate eligibility: Confirm items and origin align with the chosen path; domestic or international routes set the available service levels and tracking expectations.

2. Create the label: In the DHL or Royal Mail portal, pick the applicable service and level, then generate the shipment label. The address stored in the system should be correct; for can ada or other borders, double-check formatting for the destination.

3. Prepare packages: Pack items securely, include all components and proof of purchase if required, and affix the label on the outside. Ensure the packaging complies with courier rules to avoid delays at the location.

4. Hand off or schedule pickup: Arrange a courier pickup or drop at a service point; tracking appears in the carrier app or site and deliveries timeline adjusts by location and level chosen.

5. Track and finalize: Monitor status updates; the effect of service level on scan points and ETA is visible in the dashboard. Once the seller or platform confirms, value is applied to the refund flow. For can ada shipments, ensure customs forms are applicable if needed.

Temu orders: step-by-step

1. Open Temu order: In the Temu app or site, navigate to Orders, select the item, and initiate the refund flow with a reason code; the option may appear within 30 days of delivery in some markets.

2. Choose method: If a prepaid label is available, select it and confirm the address for the courier to pick up or deliver to a nearby location; the label covers domestic or international deliveries as applicable.

3. Pack and send: Place items in the original packaging when possible, include accessories, and attach the label on the exterior; ensure the package is secure to prevent damage in transit.

4. Track and resolve: Use Temu to track the shipment status; once the seller confirms receipt, the value is issued to the original payment method, subject to processing times and policy terms.

источник: внутренние политики платформы

Documentation Portal: access, forms, and submission tips

Log in to the Documentation Portal with your shipper credentials to unlock access within minutes and keep all forms, labels, and status in one place.

Access steps

  1. Confirm current access rights with the portal manager to ensure permission for the country and shipper ID.
  2. Enable MFA if prompted to add a second factor and secure the data.
  3. Choose your role: primary shipper, consignee, or reviewer, then enter origin and destination country to load the correct templates.
  4. From the dashboard, select the shipments tab and load required documents for each container; you can work on volumes together in one session.

Core forms and fields

  • Commercial Invoice – required; include item descriptions, HS codes, quantities, unit prices, and totals; totals must match packing details.
  • Packing List – required; list carton counts, weights, dimensions, and item references; ensure consistency with the invoice.
  • Customs Declaration – required; attach a reconciled summary and align codes with destination rules; because mismatches cause delays.
  • Shipper’s Letter of Instruction – required for carrier routing and duties handling; include consignee, broker, and contact details.
  • Certificate of Origin – used when requested by customs; attach if the destination country requires it.

Notes about templates

Templates cover common shipments and can be edited to reflect exact items; about templates, use the full fields to avoid dropped entries and ensure data integrity.

Submission tips

  1. Verify fields are complete before submitting; incomplete rows trigger checks and delays.
  2. Attach documents in PDF, JPG, or PNG; keep each file under 5 MB and label clearly with shipment ID and form name.
  3. Use templates to ensure consistency across shipments; this helps with high volumes and during peak periods.
  4. During peak month, submit in batches of 20–50 records to avoid timeouts and keep status visible in the manager view.
  5. Confirm the destination country and courier requirements; some carriers charge extra if docs are missing or mismatched.
  6. After submission, monitor status updates in the portal and respond quickly if customs or the courier request additional data.
  7. Keep a full link to the shipment in your shop or ERP so teams have access to the complete document set during audits or inquiries.
  8. If a document is dropped from the submission, re-upload immediately to maintain compliance and avoid processing gaps.

Costs, duty-free status, and checks

  • Some shipments are duty-free under tariff rules; indicate duty-free status in the declaration and attach exemption documents when required.
  • Customs reviews can drop the accepted status if data does not align with the invoice, packing list, and declaration; ensure values and HS codes match across all files.
  • Couriers may charge handling fees if documents arrive late or are incomplete; submit before the pickup window to avoid charges during busy periods.
  • Keep the current contact on the portal updated; the country manager should be notified if origin, destination, or volumes change.
  • For major shipments from a single shop, consolidate declarations to reduce costs and speed clearance; this helps with free entry where applicable.

DHL Express international returns portal for SMEs: setup and usage

DHL Express international returns portal for SMEs: setup and usage

Enable the fully automated DHL Express international returns portal for SMEs now to cut turnaround time and boost sender satisfaction. When a customer initiates the process, the same workflow routes the parcel to the designated servicepoint and updates the order status automatically.

Step 1 – In the manager dashboard, link the SME profile to DHL Express and verify access using the wyol token. Step 2 – define servicepoint locations (up to 5 hubs per country) and map them to customer regions. Step 3 – connect your ERP or OMS to pull orders and push status updates, and enable automated label generation. Step 4 – configure prepaid options, expected SLAs, and grading rules for returns. Step 5 – train staff and establish a simple, same-day escalation path to support exceptions.

The platform scales to a million packages annually for growing SMEs, handling orders across multiple channels without requiring additional staff. It supports sender and recipient data accuracy, ensures consistent handling, and provides a clear trail for every parcel; operators can tune the servicepoint network and reporting with built-in analytics about performance.

Operational flow: a sender initiates the process, the portal creates an automated task, and the parcel is routed to the correct servicepoint for pickup or drop-off. Each event is processed and logged, updating the status to processed at every stage. The same interface surfaces notifications to the customer, while the internal manager sees queue times and servicepoint efficiency in real-time.

Impact and metrics: the journey is fully traceable, expands express services reach, and reduces manual work by 40–60% on average. It provides on-demand dashboards with insights about orders, about sender activity, and the journey of each parcel, including grading outcomes and status history for every item. There, the platform supports their teams with clear guidance and support services.

Security and support: Role-based access keeps internal operations safe, with full audit trails for every action. DHL Express support services for SMEs provide practical guidance, while the platform maintains a strict privacy posture and a robust data handling process, important for compliance. There are clear escalation paths because guidelines are documented and tested, ensuring your team can act fast there.

Next steps: run a pilot with 50–100 orders to confirm that the automated flow processes within the expected SLA, then scale to all orders and continuously monitor with weekly reviews.

Recommended Reading: key guides and policy notes

Consult the official reverse-logistics guides from postal operators to align your process with standard practice; источник outlines how to handle return workflows, the line of steps for processing packages, and when costs are charged or replacements are issued.

For orders that include replacements, verify whether the offered policy covers both item-level and package-level issues; including prepaid labels, address validation, and a report to confirm the status.

Costs depend on destination, item type, and whether a dangerous goods restriction applies; such factors can trump other considerations when deciding whether a package should be returned to the origin, redirected, or held at a processing center.

Practical steps to streamline reverse processes

Map the line of responsibility from seller to postal center for orders, print the provided return label, and attach it to the package; log each milestone in a central system to ensure consistency and avoid charges or misrouted items.

Coordinate with sellers to confirm replacements and refunds, including the exact address for pickups and the required proof for a return; use this guidance to reduce costs and customer confusion.

Core sources and policy notes

USPS and postal authority guides, carrier-specific reports, and industry policy notes offer the most reliable baseline; begin with official center pages and then review other carriers for exceptions and edge cases.